Following in the Footsteps

Brothers, ball, and bunny ears. Don’t know if you can see it real well in this shot, but both Cody and Gavin, our nephews, gave each other bunny ears at the same moment last night when I wanted a picture of them after Gavin’s game. Totally their own idea, totally spur of the moment. Brothers being brothers. I just happened to snap a picture at the right time. Or the wrong time, depending how you look at it :)

From putting up bunny ears to playing ball, Gavin is busy following in big brother’s footsteps. Up until now, Gavin has been the spectator (or the guy playing in the dirt) at Cody’s games, but this summer he made his own foray into the world of sports.

We, of course, had to travel to T-town to cheer him on, just like we do for Cody. It’s been a few years since we’ve seen kids play T-ball, and we’d forgotten all the silly things that can happen. One little shortstop got tired at one point and decided to lie down in the infield. Another boy fought with one of his own teammates over the ball — actually wrestled with him, pushed his head into the ground, and then cried tears of remorse after the coach had a little talk with him. And then instead of trying to throw runners out at the bases, those fielding the balls just tried to chase the runners down and tag them out. My sister Carolyn said they actually have a better chance of getting someone out that way since no one can catch a ball yet :)

Gavin, however, seemed to be one of the better players. Now, I’m not bragging. Just stating the facts. He hit well, threw well, and ran the bases like he knew what he was doing — well, except for that one time when he overran second and then couldn’t seem to stay on the base :) Dave and Carolyn tell me that he seems to have a better understanding of the game than most of the other boys. The reason? He’s been watching big brother’s games. In between playing in the dirt and eating candy, he’s absorbed many of the rules and basics of the game.

Simply put, Gavin’s following in his big brother’s footsteps. He’s picking up a love for baseball and who knows what else. As a matter of fact, someone had to teach him to flash bunny ears, and I’m guessing it was Cody :) I’m sure Gavin will be watching Cody for many years to come, trying to imitate his behavior — just like every other little brother (or sister) out there. That kind of puts some responsibility on Cody’s shoulders, doesn’t it?

Who do you suppose is following in our footsteps? Some of the answers are obvious, but I wonder how many follow our example when we’re not even aware of it? Both of those questions should make us stop and think. Kind of puts some responsibility on our shoulders, doesn’t it?

Several times in the New Testament, Paul urged fellow believers to imitate him. How could he be so bold? The answer is found in his words recorded in 1 Corinthians 11:1. “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” And there it is. The key to being a good example. Let’s be careful whose footsteps we follow. Remember — someone will be following ours.

Comments

  1. Debbie, glad you got a kick out of the post. I can’t remember all the things you taught me, but sing-songing “Flukey Luke” comes to mind :) Not sure who started that. Surely not innocent little me :)

  2. I love the post! Partially because the boys are hilarious and also because I like the message. I’ll need to make sure I set a good example for my nephews, though all the while showing them a few fun things too :)

  3. Thanks, Kristin! Just think what it will be like one day when you’re a mom and have to try to set a good example all the time — now that’s a challenge! I should know — I’ll never forget having to delete “crap” from my vocabulary when you started saying it as a 2 yr. old :)

  4. Thanks for the great post about the boys. They really liked it!

  5. Carolyn, I’m so glad the boys like the post! They are fun to write about :)

  6. This really is a great post. I love reading about your grandsons, and the descriptions of the T-ballers were right on target with our own experiences! And I love the message. It reminds me of that song, “May All Who Come Behind Us Find Us Faithful.”

  7. Renae, so good to hear that you enjoyed the post! The boys, by the way, are my nephews. My nephews and nieces run the gamut — from age 6 to early 30s. No grandkids — yet :)

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